How to Do Well in a Phone Interview

Do you have a phone interview coming up? Are you wondering what to say or how to say it so that you can make it on to the next round of interviews?

If so, stick around, because I have 7 techniques to share with you that will help you pass your phone interview.

If we’ve never met before, I’m Heather Austin from ProfessorAustin.com and The Career Club on Facebook, and here, I share simple solutions to help you build a business or launch a career you love.

The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Your Job Search

A step-by-step resource guide with action items you can complete today to help you overcome the frustration and overwhelm of the job search.

I recently coached one of my clients through a phone interview, and she did amazing. So far, she’s made it on to the next round of interviews and is now more confident then ever.

So today I’m going to share with you what worked for her and works for many of my other clients when they do a phone interview.

Tip #1 – Do Your Research

Before the interview takes place, find out everything you can about the company. They might ask you questions like “What do you know about us?,” or “Why do you want to work here?” Make sure you have a few bullet points written down that will help you answer these questions.

For example, make a note about how the company got started. What is their vision? What types of products and services do they offer?

Jot down what impresses you most about the company. You’ll want to use these bullet points later on when you’re on the phone with the interviewer.

Tip #2 – Find the Perfect Spot

When the time comes, find a place that is free from distractions. Also, make sure you have really good cell phone service.

Try doing a test call or a mini mock interview with a friend 30 minutes before the phone comes in. This will help you work out some of those interview day jitters and will help you build up your confidence.

Tip #3 – Have Your Resume in Front of You

Most likely, the interviewer will ask you questions like, “Tell me about yourself,” or “Where are you in your career?” Having your resume in front of you will help you answer these questions quickly and efficiently.

This does not mean sharing personal experiences or stories. It means painting a picture of your career. Be able to walk them smoothly through your resume without rehashing it.

Point out special skills or experiences you’ve had that specifically relate to the new position. Phone interviews normally go pretty quickly, so you won’t have long to share your career story.

Tip #4 – Have the Job Description in Front of You

You want to create a connection between your experiences and the job requirements. Having the job description right in front of you will really help you do this.

Highlight keywords and statements in the job description that directly relate to your experience and demonstrate that you a well qualified candidate.

Jot down a few notes on the job description next to the items that you have had experience with. This will help you quickly answer interview questions that you are asked about the specific job.

Tip #5 – Prepare a Set of Questions to Ask Your Interviewer

Asking questions in a interview shows your interest in the position and turns the interview into a two-sided conversation. Make sure the questions you ask relate specifically to the job.

Now, because phone interviews tend to run short (maybe 15 or 30 minutes), you only have time to ask maybe two or three questions.

And if you don’t know what questions to ask, no worries, I have you covered. I created a video all about questions to ask in an interview.

Tip #6 – Smile

One of the best things you can do in a phone interview is to smile. Not only will this calm your nerves, but it will help you come across more friendly and approachable.

Believe it or not, when you smile, your voice changes, and the person on the other end of the phone will recognize this.

Tip #7 – Don’t Ramble

When we get nervous, we tend to ramble. It’s okay to take a deep breath before you answer a question. To overcome the urge to ramble, practice ahead of time.

Practice your response to common interview questions like, “Tell me about yourself,” “Why should we hire you?,” or “What do you know about our company?”

Be prepared to answer these questions as efficiently as possible. Again, in phone interviews, you don’t have a lot of time.

To help you prepare to answer these questions efficiently, check out this playlist I created to help you know how to answer some of the most commonly-asked interview questions.

Best of luck in your phone interview!

The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Your Job Search

A step-by-step resource guide with action items you can complete today to help you overcome the frustration and overwhelm of the job search.